Time delay transfer mechanism



June 9, 1942.

H. H. ANDERSEN l-frAL TIME DELAY TRANSFER MCHANISM Filed Nov. 7, 1959 LStu: vsn. Ik

I Inventor-s: Her-bert H Ander-seh.,

Donald G. Gamer-on,

Their' Attorneg.

Patented June 9, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TIlVIE DELAY TRANSFERMECHAN ISM Herbert H. Andersen, Beverly, and Donald G. Cameron, Lynn,Mass., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New YorkApplication November 7, 1939, Serial No. 303,255

" this register is in operation .is charged at a 12 Claims.

Our invention relates to dual rate meters and concerns particularlyapparatus arranged for metering electric current at lower rates duringcertain times of the day or under certain conditions.

It is an object of our invention to provide a dual rate meter with amechanism assuring the central station customer that he will not becharged at an excessive rate in case of voltage failure on the systemupsetting the normal division of time between high and low rateregisters.

Another object of our invention is to provide a mechanism formaintaining a meter at the lower rate setting regardless of subsequentconditions in the electrical system after a voltage failure or aninterruption in service has-occurred. Other and further objects andadvantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In carrying out our invention in its preferred form we interpose amechanism in the linkage for shifting the registers from high rate tolow rate setting, such that in case of voltage failure the low ratesetting continues until the apparatus is reset, unless the voltagefailure is of such a short duration as not to be of consequence incausing excessive charges being levied on the central station customer.

The invention will be understood more readily from the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawing and those features of the invention which are believed to benovel and patentable will be pointed out in the claims appended hereto.The single figure of the drawing is an exploded perspective view of oneembodiment of our invention partially distorted and rearranged for thesake of clarity.

Our invention may be utilized in connection with a dual load meter ofthe type described in United States Patent 2,132,256-Cameron. Theapparatus described in the present application is similar to thatdisclosed in the Cameron patent with the exception that we addI a timedelay transfer mechanism referred to generally by the numeral I0, partsof which replace the rigid connection between the bushing 55 and theshift lever 58 of the Cameron patent. The shift lever 58 of the Cameronpatent corresponds to the shift lever 58' of the present application andis actuated by the time switch I3 to bring one or the other of the twosets of registerdials 24 or 25 into operation according to the time ofthe day. Since at certain times of the day a central station can affordto sell electric power at lower rates, one of the sets of dials isreferred to as the low rate register, andthe power consumed whenelectricity consumer, against continuance in operation of the high ratedials during a period when the customer should be charged the low rate,a time delay mechanism isprovided for connecting the low rate dials incase of interruption of operation of the time switch as by reason oftemporary voltage failure, for example. As will be explained more indetail hereinafter, in case of interruption in electric service, themechanism I0 renders the connection between the bushing 55 and the shiftlever 58 ineffective, in order to cause the low rate dials to becontinued in operation indefinitely until the apparatus is corrected andreset by the representative of the central station company.

The portions of the apparatus of the present application common tothe'aforesaid Cameron patent are. for the sake of completeness ofdisclosure, described as follows: There is a powerresponsive integratingmechanism or watt-hour meter unit -I I, a double-dial register I 2, anda time switch unit I3, with connections to a source of electric currentor power I4, to a water heater I5, or other relatively large andconstant wattage load, and connections to a variable wattage load f I5,such as lights and appliances which may be turned on and off accordingto the needs of the customer whose electricity load is metered by theapparatus.

The watt-hour meter unit II is of the wellknown conventional design,having a voltage or pressure winding Il connected across the currentsource I4, current coils I8 connected between input terminals I9 andoutput terminals 20 so as to carry the load currents, an induction disk2I acted upon by windings I'I and I8, and a shaft 22 supporting the disk2l and carrying a worm wheel or helical threads 23 for driving the dialsof a register through suitable gearing.

The register I2 is of the double-dial type having two independent dialsor sets of dials 24 and 25, including driving shafts 26 and 21,respectively, and gearing (not shown) for converting rotation of thedriving shafts into appropriate rotation of the dial pointers. The dials24 and 25 may be referred to as high rate and low rate dials,respectively. A horizontal shaft 28 is provided, carrying a worm gear 29meshing with the worm 23, and carrying a worm wheel or threaded portion30. The shafts 26 and 21 carry worm gears 3| and 32, respectively,adapted to mesh withthe worm 30. The ends of the shafts are supported inbearings carried by a bifurcatedY spurs 36 adapted to t between adjacentgear teeth. It will be understood that the arrangement of the arm 33 andthe positions of the shaft 28 and the detents 35 are such that one orthe other of the gears 3| and 32 is in. mesh with the worm' 3|), beingthen clear of the associated detent 35, whereas the gear not in4 meshwith the worm 30 is engaged by one of the detents 35. Thus, dialreadings are prevented from changing except by operation of `the meterunit I I. y

In order that it will be unnecessary to examine the interior of themechanism and study its construction to determine which of the dials 24and 25 is at the time connected or in which position the time switch I3is, a target or indicator 31 is provided and an aperture 31 is out intherfront plate 38 of the register I2 for the purpose of showing theexisting condition of the apparatus in this respect.

Suitable means are provided for indicating a distinction between thedials 24 and 25. For example, their pointers 39 and 4U may be painteddistinctive colors such as black and red and the target 31 may bedivided into two areas 4I and 42, painted red and black, respectively.The target 31 is arranged to drop into the position exposing the red 4|when the gear 32 of the red pointer dial 25 is in mesh and to rise intothe position exposing the black 42 when the gear 3| of the black pointerdial 24 is in mesh. In the arrangement shown, the target 31 is part of abell-crank lever 43 mechanically connected by a pin 44 and a crank 45 tothe rod 34 carrying the arm 33. As will be explained more in detailhereinafter, the bell crank 43 is operated by the time-switch unit I3 toshift the dial connection and the indicator position at the desiredtimes of the day.

The time-switch unit I3 includes a timing motor 46 connected across themeter input terminals I3, a rotatable time dial 41, a train of gears 48including a slip clutch 49 for connecting the motor 46 to the dial 41, astationary pointer 50, and a snap-action movable member 5| for operatingboth a switch 52 and the bellcrank lever 43 of the register I2. For thepurpose of operating the movable member 5I, the dial 41 carries one ormore on riders 53 and one or more 01T riders 54, all of which areadjustable in position on the periphery of the dial 41. The movablemember 5I is pivotally mounted by being secured to a rotatable bushing55 tting over a post 56 attached to a stationary plate (not shown).There is also a shift lever 5B' carrying a pin 59 for engagement with aslotted portion of the bell-crank lever 43.

Means involving our present invention and including portions of the timedelay transfer mechanism I0 are interposed between the bushing 55 andthe shift lever 56 for the purpose of causing the shift lever 58 toremain in the low rate position corresponding to the on position of thetime switch indenitely in case of voltage failure, as will be explainedmore in detail hereinafter.

The member 5I is arranged to be moved between two limiting positions,designated on and oil positions, by snap action. To this end, a member66, having a transverse projection 6| at one end and a spring-receivingeye 62 at the other end, is pivotally mounted upon the member 5I. Theprojection 6| is of just sucient length to engage the off riders 54 butnot the on riders 53. It lwill be observed that the off riders 54 haveextending fingers lying behind the plane of the dial 41, whereas the "onriders 53 have extending fingers lying in iront of the plane of the dial41. There is a biasing spring 63 fastened at one end in the eye 62 ofthe member 60 and fastened at the other end to a pin (not shown) on thestationary plate (not shown). The memberV 5I is notched at the end toform a step-shaped configuration with an on notch 64 at a greaterdistance from the pivot post 56 than the 01T notch 65. There is aspring-biased detent 66 cooperating with the stepped notches 64 and 65and the detent 66 isA connected by Aa pivot shaft 61 to an arm 68 infront of the dial 41. The arm 68 carries a pin 69 of just enough lengthto engage the on riders 53 but not the off riders 54.

The switch 52 comprises resilient switch blades 19, carrying movablecontacts 1I, stationary contacts 12, insulating thrust members 13, and arod 14 projecting transversely from the movable member 5I.

In order that the time-switch unit I3I may be reset, a slotted adjustingknob 16 is provided which may be turned by a suitable implement, such asa screw driver, or a suitable setting tool (not shown). Y

The apparatus illustrated in the present application diiTers from thatshown in the aforesaid Cameron patent in that the shift lever 58 is notrigidly attached to the bushing 55 but is pivotally mounted atrthe endof a crank secured to the bushing 55 so that the lever 58 and the crank99 together form a jointed shift lever corresponding to the rigidlyconnected shift lever 58 of the Cameron patent. Means are provided forcausing the shift lever 58 normally to maintain a fixed positionrelative to the crank 96 so that the two together form a rigid lever,but under certain conditions this means permits such rigid lever tobreak or bend so as to cause the pin 59 to remain at the right hand lowrate position even when the crank 90 is turned to the left by theoperation of the time switch unit I3. This means is the time delaytransfer mechanism which is referred to generally by reference numeralI0. It includes a member 9| pivotally mounted on the bushing 55 carryinga pin 92 upon which is pivotally mounted a limit lever 93 having a notch94 in one end thereof. Cooperating with the notch 94 `and adapted to tinto it is a tip 95 formed in the end of a bell crank 96 formed as acontinuation of the lever 58. The lever 58 also has a transverse arm 91and a spring 98 is connected between the arm 91 and the limit lever 93for the dual purpose of bending the shift lever 58 to the right-hand orlow-dial setting when the tip 95 is out of engagement with the notch 94of agcsass the lever 93, and resiliently holding the limit lever 93 inan upward position.

Means are provided for normally holding the limit lever 93 and the shiftlever 50' in the relative positions shown in which the tip 95 and thenotch 94 are in engagement. This means takes the form of a latch 99carried by the pivoted member 9| and a member |00 which takes a downwardposition when the apparatus is energized and includes a slot |I forreceiving the latch 99. The edge |02 of the slot IOI is provided forpreventing the latch 99 from swinging to the left and permitting themember 9| to turn from the position in which the tip 95 and the slot 94are in engagement and the lever 58 in effect travels as a unit with thearm 90 when the bushing 55 is rotated. If desired hooks |03 and |04 maybe provided on the members 9| and 93, respectively, for limiting therelative travel of these members. A pin |05 is provided for limiting theextent of clockwise rotation permitted to the shift lever 58 when themember 9| is in the angular position shown in which the tipr 95 and thenotch 94 are intended to be in engagement.

The geometrical relationship between the parts is such that if theangular position of the member 9| should be relaxed slightly, the insideedge |06 above the elbow of the shift lever 58 would strike the pin |05to prevent further rotation of the shift lever 58', but the moment armsfrom the pivots of the levers 58' and 93 to the points of attachment ofthe ends of the spring 98 and to the tip 95 and the notch 94 are suchthat the tip 95 bearing against the notch 94 would not deflect the lever93 and normally'the shift lever 58 does not have occasion to strike thepin 95 when the member 9| is in its normal or operating position shown.However, the length of the lever 93 is such that when the member 9| isunlatched and turns to the left the slot 94 rides off the tip 95 andpermits the tip to deflect to the right.

The slotted member |00 is so arranged that it is caused to remain in thedownwardA position normally and caused to bend upwards in case ofvoltage failure interrupting time switch operation. To this end themember |00 is composed of temperature responsive bimetallicstripmaterial having a relatively low thermal coeicient of expansion materialbelow and a relatively high thermal coefficient of expansion materialabove, for example, iron and copper, respectively, so that when thestrip |00 is heated it bends downward and holds the latch 99 and whenthe strip cools off it bends upward and releases the latch 99. Formaintaining the strip |00 normally heated, a heating coil |01 isprovided directly connected to the strip |00 by means of a suitablebracket |08 composed of heat conducting material, such as metal. Thestrip |00 is supported at the left-hand end |09, but for the sake ofambient temperature compensation the support is not, made rigid but issubiected to the influence of a temperature compensating strip IIO formaintaining the location of the right-hand end of the strip |00regardless of ambient temperature. The strips |00 and ||0 are connectedat the left-hand ends to a thermally insulating block III which ispivotally secured to a pin ||2 connected to the stationary portion ofthe apparatus, not shown, and the compensating element IIO is also inthe form of a bimetallic strip composed of materials having relativelyhigh and low thermal coiron, respectively. Thev right-hand end of thestrip |i|0 is adjustably secured by means of screw I|3 threaded into thestationary portions of the apparatus II4, and made rotatable to permitproper adjustment of the temperature responsive latching mechanism tocause the latch 99 to remain engaged so long as there is no voltagefailure and to adjust the amount of time delay. For energizing theheater coil |01, it isconnected by means of a pair of conductors H5 toleads IIS, which are connected to the sourceof electric power I4 andenergize the time switch unit I3. Preferably the strips |00 and H0 arenot placed one above the other, but are staggered or if desired a shieldmay be employed,

to prevent heat dissipated by the strip |00 from affecting thecompensator I I0.

For the purpose of permitting resetting of the time delay transfermechanism after a voltage failure has occurred and has been corrected,the shaft |I`! carrying the time switch adjusting knob 'I6 is madeaxially movable and carries at its inner end a cone-shaped enlargementH0. Cooperating with the cone-shaped enlargement ||8 is an arm I I9secured-to the pivoted member 9|. of the present application is notrigidly connected to the shaft I|7 of the time switch adjusting knob 'I6but is provided with a keyway |20, and a key I2I dimensioned for a looset in the keyway |20 is secured to the shaft III. The key I2! is soplaced that in order to reset the time switch unit I3 by means of theknob i6 it is necessary to depress the knob 76 inward, sliding the key|2| into the keyway |20 and bringing the conical enlargement I|8 inengagement with the arm I I9 of the member 9| to move it clockwiseangularly into the position illustrated. For resiliently biasing themember 9| to the counterclockwise angular position, that is, awayfromthe normal position. a spring |22 is provided and connected betweenthe lever arm |I9 and a transverse arm |23 formed. on the member 5| ofthe time switch unit I3.

The operation of the apparatusA when there is no voltage failure andwhen` the crank and the shift lever 58 are held together rigidly to forma rigid unit driven by the bushing 55 is as follows:

Let it be assumed that there is a valley in the central station loadcurve between two and fivethirty in the afternoon and that the centralstation can well afford to furnish power at a lower rate during thisperiod if it can obtain additional load during this period. particularlyif .it can be assured that such extra load cannot be connected betweenfive-thirty and nine-thirty. the assumed peak load period. One of the onriders 53 is clamped at two oclock and one of the "o1T riders 54 isclamped at ve-thirty on the dial 4T. which rotates counterclockwise.Assuming that the dial is initially in the position shown in l. thefirst event will be that the rider 53 will. strike the pin 69. pushingit downward` The detent 55 will thereby be rotated clockwise against theforce of its spring. the member 5| will be released. the spring 63 willdraw the member 5| upward. and two functions of the member 5| willperformed. First, the switch blades 153 will be allowed to riseA closingthe switch contacts 'FI- 72 and connecting the water heater I5 to thesupply source i4 through the meter unit II. Second, the shift lever 58will be rotated to the right. The latter action,

eflicients of expansion, for example, copper and The time switch gear S2in the apparatus4 in turn, will move the target 3l to bring the redportion 4I in view and will raise the arm 33 to bring the gear 32 inmesh, connecting the low rate red-pointer dial 25 to the meter unit Itwill be understood that the meter reader will note separately thereadings of the dials 24 and 25 and that the central station will chargethe kilowatt hours recorded on the dial 25 at a lower rate than thoserecorded on the dial 24.

Just before five-thirty, the olf rider 54 clamped at five-thirty on thedial will4 strike the transverse projection 6| of the member 60, therebystretching the spring 63. Finally, the member 60 will have been rotatedso far that the projection rides off the rider 54 while bearing upwardagainst the rider 54, thus forcing the member downward with a snapaction, the time now being five-thirty. The movement of the member 5Iopens the switch contacts '|I-72 to disconnect the water heater I5 andshifts the bell-crank lever 43 to move the target 36 to the black 42 andto bring the gear 3| into mesh again to drive the black-pointer dial 24.It will be understood that additional on and olf riders may be providedfor either filling in additional valleys in the load curve or for thepurpose of preventing connection of the water heater I5 during peaks inthe daily load curve.

Waterl heaters and other devices of like character are ordinarily sodesigned that they need not operate continuously and, since the heat isstored, it is immaterial whether they are connected during one time ofthe day or another. Consequently, it is desirable to provide apparatusfor connecting a water heater at times of the day which will be mostprotable to the central station and will permit giving the customer arate reduction. However', the apparatus :is useful also in case no loadis to be controlled but different rates at different times of the dayare desired.

In case of voltage failure which would stop or interrupt the operationof the time switch I3 energized by the voltage of the current source andwhich might be of such long duration as to cause the time indication ofthe time switch to be several hours slow, it is obvious that the timeswitch unit without the time delay transfer mechanism I0 might cause thehigh rate register 24 to be connected during the various hours of theday when the customer is entitled to the low rate, and during which thecustomer might have been drawing large loads upon the inducement of thecentral station company to offer low rates at certain times of the day.To guard against this unjust billing in case of voltage failure orinterruption in operation of the time switch unit, the failure ofvoltage energizing the time switch unit i3 causes the coil |01 to bedeenergized and to cool off permitting the strip |00 to cool and releasethe latch 99, whereupon the spring |22 moves the lever ||9 to a downwardor counterclockwise angular position, moving the pin |05 to the left andalso sliding the end of the lever 93 oif the tip 95 of the lever 58',thus freeing the tip 95 to permit the shift lever 50 to move in aclockwise direction, with the pin 59 moving to the right under theinuence of the spring 90, and causing the low rate register to come intoengagement and remain in engagement regardless of subsequent angularpositions of the bushing 55 produced by the time switch unit I3.Subsequent energization of the heater coil |01 upon recovery of voltagewill cause the strip |00 to bend downward again but cannot cause reentryof the latch 99 into the slot IOI.

The mechanism is so adjusted that if the power interruption has been ofan inconsequentially short duration, e. g., less than five minutes orany other predetermined period, the strip |00 does not cool sufficientlyto unlatch the latch 99. The magnitude of time delay is determined bythe design of the parts with suitable thermal conductivity and heatcapacity, e. g., by making the high-rate release strip |00 ofappropriate length and thickness. The time delay obtained may also beadjusted by varying the position of the heater coil |01 on the bracket|08 and by adjustment of the screw II3. Thus any desired period of timedelay may be obtained.

After normal voltage conditions have been restored on the lines of thepower station and when the power station has sent a representative toreset the time switch I3 in accordance with the correct time, suchrepresentative will depress the adjusting knob 'I0 in order to set thetime switch. Simultaneously by reason of the engagement of thecone-shaped enlargement I|8 and the arm i II9, the member 9| will bereset to the normal clockwise angular position thereby moving the pin|05 against the inside edge |06 of theelbow of the shift lever 58 andbringing the holding lever 93 in position in which the notch 94 wouldengage the tip 95, thereby making the shift lever 58 and the crank 90 arigid unit again. The voltage having been restored, the right-hand endof the strip |00 is in the downward position so that the latch 99 snapsinto the slot I0| when the member 9| is rotated by the action of thecone IIS. However, in case the central station representative attemptsvto reset the mechanism before the voltage has been restored, the member|00 will remain up in an upwardly bent position and the member 9| willdrop back to the low rate position as soon as the adjusting knob 16 isreleased.

In accordance with the'provisions of the patent statutes, we havedescribed the principle of operation of our invention together with theap-V paratus which we now consider to represent the best embodimentthereof but we desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown isonly illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by othermeans.

What we claim as new `and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. Apparatus for metering at differing rates two classes of loadsupplied by a common power source and controlling one of the classes ofload according to the time, said apparatus comprising in combination, apower-responsive integrating mechanism including input terminals forelectrical connection to a power source, output terminals for continuouselectrical connection to a load of one class and intermittent connectionto a load of a second class, a low rate register dial and a high rateregister dial, a time switch unit energized by the power source, andhaving a movable member adapted to be moved to one or the other of twoalternative positions according to the time, relatively movable switchcontacts in operable relation with said movable member for connectingand disconnecting a load of the second class to and from the said outputterminals, alternative connecting means for forming a driving connectionbetween said integrating mechanism and one of the other of saidregisters, an operating connection between the movable member of thetimeswitch and the' said alternative connecting means, and meansresponsive to connection ineffective 4and ymaintaining the low rate dialin operation.

`2. `In a Ldual `rate Vmeter including power-responsive integratingmechanism, a rotatable shaft carrying a wormzwheeL `a low rate :registerdial and a -high rate register dial eachlincluding a driving shaft.carrying a worm gear adapted alternatively to mesh with said wormwheel, a time switch unit adapted to be energized by a source of powerand having a movable member adapted to be moved to Vone or the other oftwo alternative positions according to the time, and supports `forsaididialshaftswith a connection to said. movable member'in: suchrelation. as lto i cause one of `saidgears to mesh with .said worm wheelwhen 4said movable member is .in one position and to cause the other ofsaid gears to ymesh with said worm wheel .when the movable member is inthe other of its positions, said connection including an element.electrically connected to the time switch unit and normally energizedby the saine power source energizing the time switch unit fornormallymaintaining the sai-:l connection effective, and `means forrendering the connection between said supports and said movable memberineffective in response to interruption of the power source energizingthe time switch .unit and the first said element includedin 'saidconnection, said connection also including another' element forresiliently biasing the supports for said -dialshafts tothe position inwhich the low rate register dial is driven.

3. A dual rate meter including a low rate register dial and a high rateregister dial, alternative driving connections to said register dia-ls,a time switch unit for normally putting one or the other of saidconnections into effect according to the time, means for resilientlybiasing the apparatus to the low rate connection, a power source for thetime switch unit, and means normally energized by the same source andresponsive to power failure for making the time switch unit ineffectiveto control said driving connection and leaving continuously effectivethe driving connection to the low rate register dial.

4. In a dual rate meter including a power responsive integratingmechanism, a low rate register dial and a high rate register' dial, eachadapted to be driven by the integrating mechanism, alternative drivingconnections to said register dials, a time switch unit with energizingconnections, shift mechanism normally operated by the time switch unitfor making one or the other of said connections effective according tothe time, and means connected to said energizing connections andresponsive to interruption in energization for operating the shiftmechanism to its condition effecting the connection between theintegrating mechanism and the low rate register dial.

5. In a dual rate integrating meter, a low rate register dial and a highrate register dial, alternative driving connections to said registerdials, a controller member having alternative conditions of operation inwhich it makes one or the other of said alternative driving connectionseffective, a selector for normally shifting said controller to one orthe other of its operating conditions, and means with a power source fornormally maintaining it inactive but responsive to power failure fortransferring the controller to its condition effecting the drivingconnection to the low rate register dial,

6. In a dual rate meter `including a low rate register dial and a highrate register dial, 'alternative driving connections to said dials, oneor :the otherof which is adapted to beeifective-ac- 1 .cording -to theposition of a shift lever, the combin'ationof va -jointed shift leverhaving anaoperating end andadriven end with a joint between, a timeswitch unit Iadapted to move the driven endof the shift lever to one orthe other of two alternative positions according to time, normallyeffective mechanism for maintaining said shift lever stiff so that `itsoperating end follows the motion-of the driven end,.and means normallyenergized for lnormally maintaining said mechanism effective andresponsive t0 interruption in energization for releasing the joint ofsaid shift 4lever and maintaining the operating end of the shift levercontinuously in the positionl effecting connection to the low rateregister dial.

7. In a dual rate meter including a low rate register dial and `a highrate register dial with driving connections to said dials adapted to hemetered by l ently biasing'the operatingendof the shift lever madealternatively effective in accordance with the position of thefoperatingend of a shift lever, the combinationof a shift lever havingan'operating end anda driven end with a jointed connection therebetween,a time `switch unit attached to the said driven end for rshifting itsposition according to the time of vday and adapted to be energized by asource of current to be the dual -rate meter, means for resilito thevposition vin lwhich the `driving connection to the low rate registerdial is effective, and an electroi'esponsive latching device fornormally, when energized, maintaining effectively rigid the jointedconnection of said shift lever to overcome the effect of the saidbiasing means and cause the operating end of the shift lever to move inresponse to the motion of the driven end thereof, said latching devicebeing connected for energization by the same current source as the timeswitch unit and being adapted, when deenergized, to release said jointedconnection.

8. In a` dual rate meter including a low rate register dial and a highrate register dial with driving connections to said dials adapted to bemade alternatively effective in accordance with the position of theoperating end of .a shift lever, the combination of a shift lever havingan opere ating end and a driven end with a jointed connectiontherebetween, a selector connected to the driven end of the shift leverfor shifting its position' back and forth for selecting one register orthe other' and adapted to be energized by a source of current to bemetered by the dual rate meter, means for resiliently biasing theoperating end of the shift lever to the position in which the drivingconnection to the low rate register dial is effective, and a bimetalliclatching device for maintaining rigid the jointed connection of saidshift lever to overcome the effect of the said biasing means and causethe operating end of the shift lever to move in response to the motionof the driven end thereof, a current responsive heater in thermalconnection with said bimetallic latching device, said latching devicebeing so the other of which is adapted to be effective according to theposition of a shift lever, the combination of a jointed shift leverhaving an operating end and a driven end, a time switch unit adapted tomove the driven end of the shift lever to one or the other of twoalternative positions according to time, said time switch unit havingenergizing connections, normally effective means for maintaining saidshift lever stii so that its operating end follows the motion of thedriven end, means for releasing the joint of said shift lever andmaintaining continuously the connection to the low rate register dial inresponse to interruption in energization of the time switch unit, andmeans for readjusting the time setting of the time switch unit afterinterruption thereof and simultaneously resetting the rigid connectionbetween the parts of the shift lever.

10. In combination, a timer, a shift lever adapted to be moved to one orthe other of two alternative positions in accordance with. time, meansresiliently biasing said shift lever 'to one of its alternativepositions, mechanism for connecting said timer to said shift lever, andnormally energized means associated with said mechanism for normallymaintaining it effective and responsive to interruption in energizatiionfor disconnecting said connecting mechanism.

1l. In combination, a timer, a shift lever adapted to be moved to one orthe other of two alternative positions in accordance with time, meansresiliently biasing said shift lever to one of its alternativepositions, mechanism including a latch for connecting said timer to saidshift lever, said connecting mechanism having connecting anddisconnecting positions in which the connection is respectivelyeffective and ineffective between the timer and the shiftl lever, andnormally energized means adapted, while energized, to engage said latchand hold the connecting mechanism in the connecting position when themechanism is moved thereto and responsive to interruption inenergization for releasing said holding means and unlatching saidconnecting mechanism.

12. In combination, a normally energized timer, a shift lever adapted tobe moved to oneor the other of two alternative positions in accordancewith time, means resiliently biasing said shift lever to one of itsalternative positions, mechanism including a latch for connecting saidtimer to said shift lever, said connecting mechanism having connectingand disconnecting positions, normally energized means adapted, whileenergized, to engage said latch and hold the connecting mechanism in theconnecting position when the mechanism is moved thereto, and responsiveto interruption in energization for releasing said holding means andunlatching said connecting mechanism, and means for resetting said timerto the correct time and simultaneously resetting said connectingmechanism to the latched position after an interruption in energization.

HERBERT H. ANDERSEN.

DONALD G. CAMERON.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,285,882. June 9, 19142.

HERBERT H. ANDERSEN, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as'o'ilows: Page 5,first column, line 26, claim 2, for "effective, and means for. read"effective anzi for-; and that the seid Letters Patent shouldbe readwith this correction therein that the same may conform to the record ofthe case in the Patent Office. v

signed and sealed this Ath day of August, A. D. 19h22.

` Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) 4 Acting; Commissioner of Patents.

